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Europe`s heatwave sears its way into the record books
Paris, Aug 12: A heatwave that has set all-time record temperatures in many countries pushed much of Europe to the brink today, overloading power plants, filling hospitals and fuelling new forest fires as the death toll climbed well over 53.
Paris, Aug 12: A heatwave that has set all-time record temperatures in many countries pushed much of Europe to the brink today, overloading power plants, filling hospitals and fuelling new forest fires as the death toll climbed well over 53.
The searing weather, which has kept the mercury
hovering stubbornly around 38 degrees celsius across much of
the continent for over a week, has seen millions of people
head to beaches and lakes to cool off while governments
struggle to cope.
Extremely low water levels and steep demand from overworked air conditioners have forced French and German authorities to temporarily relax operating rules governing power stations -- particularly those with nuclear reactors -- to stave off blackouts.
And in The Netherlands, the first red alert in nine years warning that power cuts may be imminent was carried into its second day, and the public was urged to cut back on energy use. Forecasters said that northern Europe would likely see a respite Thursday and Friday, although temperatures may well rise again afterwards and southern Europe would continue to swelter.
The number of dead linked to the baking weather has continued to rise, though no firm tally was available.
At least 28 people are known to have died in Europe from heat-related complaints in the past 11 days -- 24 in Spain, two in northern France and two in Italy -- but heat is the suspected cause of dozens of other deaths. Another 25 people have died in forest fires -- five in France, 15 in Portugal and five in Spain.
Bureau Report
Extremely low water levels and steep demand from overworked air conditioners have forced French and German authorities to temporarily relax operating rules governing power stations -- particularly those with nuclear reactors -- to stave off blackouts.
And in The Netherlands, the first red alert in nine years warning that power cuts may be imminent was carried into its second day, and the public was urged to cut back on energy use. Forecasters said that northern Europe would likely see a respite Thursday and Friday, although temperatures may well rise again afterwards and southern Europe would continue to swelter.
The number of dead linked to the baking weather has continued to rise, though no firm tally was available.
At least 28 people are known to have died in Europe from heat-related complaints in the past 11 days -- 24 in Spain, two in northern France and two in Italy -- but heat is the suspected cause of dozens of other deaths. Another 25 people have died in forest fires -- five in France, 15 in Portugal and five in Spain.
Bureau Report